Social media addiction inspires a new wave of influencers

Some creators, including Olivia Yokubonis, post gentle interruptions that prompt viewers to pause or close apps, and researchers report that many people who say they are "addicted" often do not meet symptom-based criteria.

Creators on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are making short videos that gently interrupt scrolling to prompt viewers to pause or close apps. Olivia Yokubonis, who posts as Olivia Unplugged, is one example and works for a screen-time app called Opal, though her posts rarely include branding. Researchers and commentators are divided over whether heavy platform use should be called an addiction, and studies suggest perceptions of addiction do not always match measured symptoms. Other creators, such as Cat Goetze, blend discussion of platform design with products aimed at reducing device time. Key facts: - Olivia Yokubonis posts brief, research-informed clips that remind viewers they may have lost track of time; her videos have drawn millions of views. - The article mentions Yokubonis works for the screen-time app Opal, and that she keeps overt branding to a minimum in her content. - Ofir Turel, a researcher cited in the article, found that people shown their screen-time data were frequently surprised and many reduced their usage afterward. - A representative Instagram study reported by Ian A. Anderson found 18% of users self-identified as at least somewhat addicted, 5% indicated substantial agreement, but only 2% met symptom-based criteria for risk; the study also noted that feeling addicted can affect perceived self-control. - The article describes other creators, including Cat Goetze, who discuss platform design and have developed products such as Physical Phones aimed at reducing device time. Summary: Creators who insert pauses into feeds introduce interruptions that can raise awareness about heavy social media use while researchers continue to debate whether the term "addiction" is appropriate. Undetermined at this time.